Faribault Falcon Boys Basketball Loses Foul Infested Game

The Faribault Falcons saw a two point halftime deficit turn into a Rochester Century 15 point win Friday night in Rochester. The Falcons and Panthers combined to shoot 57 free throws in the game. Faribault was 20 of 31 and Rochester Century 18 of 26.

Both teams entered the game with identical overall records of 6-17 on the season. There were not too many trips down the floor without fouls called. I would have to say most of them were fouls, but it seemed some of the crucial non-calls went the Panthers way.

The Falcons went on a brief run to take a 5 point lead in the second half only to see that gobbled up in a hurry. Thanks in some part to what I thought, and the Faribault coaches also believed, was a foul called on 6'4 junior Trey Krannich while blocking a shot by a Panther. It looked like a clean block.

The most blatant blunder was an over and back call on Faribault in the first half when the ball was deflected by a Century player. How six pairs of eyes missed that one is a mystery.

Give Rochester Century all the credit. They seized momentum both times to go on runs. Faribault was able to come back from the first but not the second offensive onslaught.

Junior Joe Palmer led Faribault with 17 points. 10 of them came in the first half when the Falcons were going back and forth with the Panthers. Century upped their lead to 7 points before Faribault cut the lead to 31-28 at the half.

Palmer was the only Falcon in double figures. He was one of our Faribault State Farm Insurance agents Faribault players of the game along with senior Andrew Dozark and junior Trey Krannich. Both had 7 points.

Rochester Century had three sophomores in double figures. 6'1 Jack Fisher had 15 points and was 9 of 10 from the free throw line.

5'9 Gabe Hanson had 13 points and was 2 of 3 from the charity stripe and 6'3 Mark Leonard had 12 points and was 1 of 3 from the free throw line.

After starting the season 1-11 Century is 6-6.

Faribault had won two of their previous three but dropped to 4-17 in the league and 6-18 overall.

The Panthers close out their season at John Marshall Tuesday and home against Mankato East Friday.

The Falcons are at home for their final two games. Tuesday against Waseca and Friday Rochester Mayo.

Rochester Century Student Body Seating Across the Floor. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld